Stayin' Alive

In light of tumultuous events occurring around the world, I’ve often wondered how I would fare if I were caught up in the middle of a mega-destructive earthquake or a regime overthrow or a torrential flood that obliterates homes within seconds. Survival skills are all but forgotten in our modern world, and only a handful of people actually hone them just in case of disaster. What would I do if suddenly plunged into a scenario where electricity, instant heat and plumbing are nonexistent?

Recently a couple of snowmobilers ran out of gas, miles away from any civilization in Wasatch County. They built a makeshift shelter and waited a storm out until rescuers found them. They certainly weren’t prepared for spending a night out in the freezing mountain temperatures, but they somehow survived. Without their meager shelter, the cold could have easily claimed them within hours. A simple bit of cover saved their lives.

Human ingenuity is sometimes all a person needs in order to make it through a harrowing ordeal. Other times sheer willpower and determination can save a person’s life. Aron Ralston was exploring Blue John Canyon when a boulder fell and pinned his arm against another rock. He then proceeded to amputate his arm with a dull pocketknife after he realized that he could die there if he didn’t free himself. No one knew where he was and the boulder was not showing any signs of letting him go.

It’s amazing what some people do to survive. Despite the human body’s frailty, there are numerous stories of people beating the odds and living to tell a remarkable tale. Right now in Japan there are hundreds of thousands of people without homes who never thought they’d be in this situation. More than likely those people will survive long enough to find a new home, but in the meantime they are forced to find their own shelter, food and warmth. Some are fortunate and still have family and friends that have their backs; others are alone and despair threatens their chances of survival. Every person in Japan, though, will have a unique story to tell of how they overcame the disaster all around them.

You can never know whether you’ll survive every situation you are in until you have survived it. And the only way to better your chances is to be prepared, whether materially, mentally or informationally (I think I just made that word up). Simply knowing how to tie a certain knot, or having a rope, or staying calm enough to think clearly can be extremely helpful in a dire situation. You can practice your survival skills by doing simple things like camping or trying to build a fire in your backyard with a couple of sticks. There are also survivalists who can teach you the ropes: what berries to avoid, how to endure extreme temperatures, where to find water.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and the majority of humans want to stay alive. We never know when the “Big One” will hit here in Utah. Flash floods are common in the southern part of the state. Dangerous animals can make a simple hike a fight for your life. There are no guarantees in life, which means all we can do is be as prepared as possible for the unknown. Whatever doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger – and postpones the inevitable (sorry, had to throw in a third cliché for good measure).